The flashy niece of the late Iranian military figure Qasem Soleimani, who lived in Los Angeles, was arrested by ICE agents on Friday. This followed her use of social media to disseminate the Iranian regime’s wartime propaganda against the U.S. and to support threats aimed at Iranian expatriates labeled as “traitors.”
Hamid Soleimani Afshar, 47, didn’t just share these messages; he personalized them, reinforcing narratives that favored the Iranian government’s crackdown on dissent and its military actions. He expressed strong negative sentiments toward the United States, even referring to it as “the great devil” and commending attacks on American forces, as noted by the State Department.
In one of his Instagram Stories, he boasted about the satisfaction of obtaining reparations from those who “sold out” Iran. Just hours prior, he had touted claims about Iran’s military prowess against the U.S.
Afshar didn’t shy away from mocking critics while endorsing the Iranian government’s aggressive stance towards expatriates, including threats of asset seizures and harsher penalties. In a rather pointed message, he questioned the courage of those opposing the regime, labeling them as complicit in their homeland’s turmoil.
Amidst the propaganda, Afshar often showcased his luxurious lifestyle in Los Angeles, flaunting high-fashion outfits and extravagant experiences—things that are illegal back in Iran, where women lacking proper coverings face severe repercussions. In one image, he flaunted ornate jewelry and designer wear; in another, he celebrated with champagne near a helicopter in the desert.
Shifting focus from personal glamor, Afshar also delved into U.S. political dynamics related to the conflict with Iran, sharing headlines about growing domestic pressure on Trump regarding the war.
Additionally, he seemed to herald new leadership in Iran, spreading a state announcement that named Mojtaba Khamenei as the nation’s supreme leader, set to a solemn Persian tune.
There was also a post featuring a political cartoon targeting Reza Pahlavi, depicting him alongside American and Israeli flags as disaster struck the city—a clear attempt to align him with foreign adversaries of Iran.
He reframed defectors as part of the problem, further echoing the regime’s critiques of Iranian opposition, and aligned himself with hardline nationalist thoughts by quoting a saying that it’s better to die honorably than live as a traitor.
Afshar originally entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2015, was granted asylum in 2019, and received a green card in 2021. However, her certification was rescinded just before her arrest in Los Angeles.
Now detained, officials accuse her of promoting Iranian propaganda while in the U.S., which could lead to her deportation.
Her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseini, 25, who also came to the U.S. on a student visa in 2015 and became a permanent resident in 2023, has also been arrested and had her green card revoked.
The situation has widened beyond their family, with the State Department recently revoking legal status for Fatemeh Ardeshir Laljiani, daughter of another Iranian regime figure. She has since left the U.S. and is barred from reentry.
